Devils Lake inter-ocean. (Devils Lake, Ramsey Co., Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1905, 1887-03-05
".Shore her Mrouoh to.xiohtn

Tho operator, accustomed to all kinds Of
e~xtravagant outlay for expedition, replied
that be would lay this proposition, with the
dispatch, before the San Francisco office. He
then took it and read it-and re.read 1t. He
preserved the usual professional apathy
had doubtless sent many more e~nigu1atical
and mysterious messages-but nevertheless,
when he finished, be raised his eyes inquir-
tngly to his customer. That gentleman, who
enjoyed a reputation for equal spontaneity of
temper and revolver, met his gaze q little i'm
patiently. The operator had recourse to q
trick. Under the pretence Of misunderstand-
ing the message, he Obliged the sender to re-
peat it aloud for the sake Of accuracy, and
even suggested q few verbal alterations,
ostensibly to insure correctness, but really to
extract further information. Nevertheless,
the man doggedly persisted in q literal trans
cript Of his message. The operator went to
his instrument hesitatingly.
II suppose, " he added half questioningly,
stherc ANT no chance Of . mistake. This
address IL Rigl,tbody. that rich old B~ostonian
that everybody knows. There ain't but
one!r n
@That's the address," responded the first
speaker coolly.
.Didnt know tho old chap had investments
out here" suggested the operator, lingering
at his instrument.
"No moro did l." was the insufficient reply.
For some few moments nothing was heard
but the click Of tho instrument, AZ tho opera
tor worked the key, with tho usual appear.
ance Of imparting confidence to a somewhat
reluctant nearer who preferred ia talk him
self. Tho two men stood by, watching his
motions with the usual awe of tho unrrofes.
Eonal When be bad finished they laid be.
fore him two gold pieces a. tho operator
took them up ho could not help saying:
1.-THE old man went on kinder sudden.
didn't hel Had no time to writef"
sNot sudden for that kind o. man." was the
exasperating reply.
But the speaker was not to he disconnected.
III there is an answer he began.
~There amt any" replied the first speaker,
quietly.
~Why7
Because the man ex sent tho message Il
dead"
9But it's signed by you two"
@On'y ez witnesses-ehr appealed the arst
speaker to his comrade.
aOn'y cz witnesses, /" responded tho other.
The operator shrugged his shoulders. Tho
business concluded, the first speaker slightly
RELAXED. Hs nodded to the operator, and
turned to the bar room with . pleasing social
impulse. When their glasses were cot down
empty the first speaker, With . cheerful con-
demnation Of the hard times and the weather,
apparently dismissed all previous proceedings
from his mind, and lounged out with his CON.
panion. At the corner Of the street they
stopped
swell, that jobs done," said the first
speaker, by way Of relieving the slight social
embarrassment Of parting:
4Thets so,n responded. his companion, and
shook his hind.
They parted. A gust of wind swept
through the pines, and struck q faint, Eolian
cry from the wires above their heads; and
the rain and the darkness again slowly settled
spon Cottonwood
Tho message Jagged . 1itt1s q Ban Fran.
cisco, laid over half an hour at Chicago, and
fought longitude the whole way; % that Il
Was past midnight when The all night opse.
ator took it from the wires at'Boston. But
Il WAS freighted with . mandate from the
Gan Francisco obce; and . messenger was
procured, who sped With II through dark
NOW bound streets, betwsen1ths high walls
of Observation-Disclosures houses, to . certain